DOTr to Automatically Exempt Returning OFWs from Paying Airport Terminal Fee

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Monday announced that returning Overseas Filipino Workers, whose tickets were purchased abroad, will be exempted from paying terminal fee by March 2017.

During the “Kapihan sa Manila Hotel” organized by Samahang Plaridel yesterday morning, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said that airlines have agreed in principle to automatically relieve OFWs who purchased their return tickets to the Philippines abroad from paying terminal fee.

Currently, the P550 terminal fee of returning OFWs are integrated with their ticket fee, and is refunded through MIAA refund counters in Philippine airports, which somehow causes inconvenience to OFWs.

“Airline have already agreed in principle, so, hopefully by March 2017, mawala na ang pangamba ng ating mga OFWs sa pagbabayad ng terminal fee,” Monreal said.

Monreal explained that the exemption will be fully implemented by March 2017 to give airlines time to update their programs and systems for this policy.

The DOTr, MIAA, and airline companies is yet to enter into a memorandum of understanding to formalize the agreement.

This announcement came on the back of other accomplishments of the DOTr in the aviation sector.

Among these achievements is the enforcement of a slot management system to ensure that flight departures are on time. The system has improved the on-time performance of airlines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from 47 percent to 71 percent since the new administration took over.

To address traffic congestion in the airports, MIAA is also coordinating with Villamor Airbase to allow vehicles to pass through, especially along Andrews Avenue.

A two-minute waiting time is also being implemented for people welcoming and sending off passengers at the airport.

“Kaugalian ng mga Pilipino na kahit isa lang ang aalis eh napakarami nang naghahatid. Isinasaayos natin ‘yan,” Monreal said.

Capt. Jim Sydiongco, Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, also boasted of the addition of Legzapi, Butuan, Dumaguete, and Caticlan airports to the country’s night-rated airports. Roxas airport will also be able to accommodate evening flights before Christmas.

Importance of Emergency Powers

In the same forum, DOTr officials also reiterated the need for emergency powers to push for further improvements in the transportation sector.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for Communications Cherie Mercado assured the public that the Emergency Powers sought for will expedite service delivery, and will not be abused.

“Emergency Powers was proposed to get projects moving fast. May mga safeguards tayo dyan [such as] Congress oversight, TROs/injunctions to be filed only in the Supreme Court, and its compliance with the FOI,” Mercado said.

Mercado also guaranteed that the Department, led by Sec. Arthur Tugade, continues to perform while waiting for the emergency powers to be granted.

“Si Sec. Tugade ay nagtratrabaho nang tahimik. [He] is a man of accomplishments. He’s impatient for accomplishments, but he’s also a man of transparency.”

Lenovo Unveils the World’s First Tango-Enabled Smartphone

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Augmented Reality (AR) took the country by storm this year thanks to Pokémon GO but fans of the technology will have another reason to rejoice as Lenovo Philippines unveiled the much-awaited Phab 2 Pro.

Lenovo Phab2 Pro, the world’s first Tango-enabled smartphone provides users an elevated AR experience with Google’s Tango technology. The said feature can map physical spaces and overlay it with virtual effects, track objects, and map indoor spaces. Those abilities allow for new types of apps, experiments, and designs that previously couldn't be carried out on standard AR-enabled phablets out in the market.

At the launch, Lenovo Philippines Country General Manager Michael Ngan expressed that the arrival will open up new opportunities. “With the limitless capabilities provided by Tango, we hope that the Phab 2 Pro can raise our customers to new heights by making them into designers, innovators, and builders with no boundaries stopping them.”

Buyers of the Phab 2 Pro are in for atreat as well as Google recently launched 25 Tango-enabled apps on Google Play. Want to turn your living room into a scaled-down version of the Solar System? Well, then Solar Simulator app should be just right up your alley! Once enabled, the app can automatically scale the entire Solar System to fit inside your room.

Innovation in Real Life Education

Wazzup Pilipinas!

TWO GIANTS in the education sector in the country and e-learning industry worldwide, STI and CYPHER LEARNING respectively, recently forged an agreement to provide students an innovative and engaging platform that will augment learning experience inside and outside the classroom.

Created by CYPHER LEARNING, STI utilizes NEO, a world-class and award-winning Learning Management System (LMS) used by schools and universities across the globe. NEO was ranked as #2 LMS for Higher Education in the “Top 50 LMS 2016 Rankings Report” by Craig Weiss, a distinguished e-learning industry analyst.

NEO LMS is cloud-based e-learning tool that gives teachers and students a two-way platform where they can collaborate, assign and submit homework, take assessments, and track learning progress among others.

“Integrating technology in the learning process helps students and teachers stay engaged and connected. Through NEO LMS, students and teachers can discuss online anytime, anywhere,” said Peter K. Fernandez, President and COO of STI Education Services Group, Inc.